NOEoutdoors Fishing Report – Destin, Florida – Inshore, Surf, Pier & Jetty – Second Week of October 2025

 

The fall bite in Destin is on fire. Water temps are sitting in the low 70s, and the Gulf is clear with light surf — perfect conditions for just about everything that swims. The mullet run is slowing but still bringing steady action along the beaches, while inshore waters are loaded with bait and active fish. Cooler mornings, light north winds, and clean tides have made this one of the best weeks of the fall season to fish both the bay and surf.

 

 

 

Inshore Bite

 

 

The inshore bite across Choctawhatchee Bay and Destin Pass is hot right now. Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are feeding up before the next front hits.

 

Trout are crushing topwater early over grass flats in 2–4 feet of water. Walk-the-dog baits like Skitter Walks, Spooks, and MirrOlures are producing. Once the sun gets up, switch to soft plastics on light jigheads or suspending twitch baits in natural patterns — white, silver, and new penny are solid choices.

 

Redfish are feeding hard around docks, oyster bars, and drop-offs. Soft plastic paddletails, live shrimp, or finger mullet under a popping cork are all getting bit. Bigger bull reds are stacked near the Destin Bridge and East Pass on incoming tides. Use heavier tackle and live baits like pinfish or mullet chunks for a shot at trophy fish.

 

Flounder are holding on sand edges and around structure, especially near creek mouths and bridge pilings. Slow-roll a soft plastic or drag a bull minnow on a Carolina rig along the bottom.

 

 

 

Surf Bite

 

 

The surf along Okaloosa Island and Henderson Beach is producing steady action with pompano, redfish, and whiting leading the charge.

 

Pompano fishing has been excellent on incoming tides when the water is clean. Use sand fleas, Fishbites, or fresh shrimp on double-drop rigs. Look for sandbars and color changes in 2–5 feet of water.

 

Redfish are cruising the beach in schools, especially in the mornings and late evenings. Cast cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig near deeper troughs and rips.

 

Whiting, bluefish, and ladyfish are mixed in, keeping rods bent between pompano and redfish runs. Spoons and small jigs will find steady action when the surf is calm.

 

When the water is calm, the surf bite can turn into sight fishing — look for cruising reds or bait pushing close to the sand and cast right in front of them.

 

 

 

Pier & Jetty Bite

 

 

The Okaloosa Island Pier and Destin East Jetty are both producing a strong mixed bag this week.

 

Spanish mackerel are thick early in the mornings. Gotcha plugs, silver spoons, and bubble rigs are the go-to. Cast into visible bait schools or bird activity.

 

King mackerel are biting near the end of the pier and at the jetty rocks on live cigar minnows or large spoons. Outgoing tide and first light are best.

 

Bull reds are heavy around the jetty, especially near the outgoing tide. Big cut baits, shrimp, or large soft plastics on heavy jigheads will do work.

 

Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are holding tight to the rocks. Use live shrimp or fiddler crabs fished close to the structure.

 

On calm days, anglers are also hooking up with jack crevalle and the occasional cobia moving through the pass. Keep a heavy rod rigged with a large bucktail or swimbait just in case.

 

 

 

Cold Front Tips

 

 

1. Fish Right Before the Front: The bite explodes as the barometer drops and wind shifts north.

2. Go Deeper Afterward: Once the front passes, fish move down the water column. Target structure and deeper troughs.

3. Light Leaders, Real Colors: Clear fall water means natural baits, smaller hooks, and lighter fluorocarbon get more bites.

 

 

 

 

 

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